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How Asoka changed Hinduism

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Asoka’s influence on Buddhism is incalculable. He changed it from a cold, sectarian religion that had few adherents into a world religion. But surprising as it may seem, Asoka also changed the character of Hinduism which in his time was a violent, dogmatic and ritualistic religion. As Buddhism became a mainstream religion and flourished for several centuries after Asoka’s death, the gentle and compassionate character of Buddhism permeated into Hinduism. In the 8th and 9th century A.D, when Hinduism was revived, it folded Buddha as one of its gods. Suddenly, Hinduism adopted many of the features of Buddhism and gave up war-mongering, and obsession with rituals. But the one thing it did not change was the caste system–although other castes became more educated.

September 2, 2017 written by